First, the bad news: The Downtowner II has closed its doors.

A sign hanging on the restaurant door since last week indicated the eatery at 115 North Main St. was permanently closed. Efforts to reach owner Kathy Chappell, who opened the restaurant approximately two years ago, were unsuccessful.

But that loss is tempered by news that two new restaurants are expected to open in the downtown area by Christmas.

Elizabeth McCoury, downtown development coordinator, said she is working with two established Hampton Roads restaurateurs to finalize details on their respective proposals to open eateries in Suffolk’s central business district. That district runs between the bridge on North Main Street and the North Main/Washington Street intersection.

McCoury refused to name the restaurants. &uot;But they are two solid quality restaurants,&uot; she said.

She expects to be able to release the name of one restaurant within the next two weeks; the other, within the next two months.

McCoury said she expects the restaurants will fare well.

&uot;There is such a demand for restaurants in the downtown area,&uot; she said.

The Downtowner is the second eatery in that area to close this year. Long’s Deli II locked its doors in January.